EP1344332A1 - Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system

Info

Publication number
EP1344332A1
EP1344332A1 EP01977482A EP01977482A EP1344332A1 EP 1344332 A1 EP1344332 A1 EP 1344332A1 EP 01977482 A EP01977482 A EP 01977482A EP 01977482 A EP01977482 A EP 01977482A EP 1344332 A1 EP1344332 A1 EP 1344332A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
communication signals
environment
uplink communication
uplink
beamforming weights
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01977482A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1344332B1 (en
Inventor
Paul Petrus
Antoine Chemali
David Depierre
Louis C. Yun
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Intel Corp
Original Assignee
Arraycomm LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arraycomm LLC filed Critical Arraycomm LLC
Publication of EP1344332A1 publication Critical patent/EP1344332A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1344332B1 publication Critical patent/EP1344332B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04BTRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/06Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04BTRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/06Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
    • H04B7/0613Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission
    • H04B7/0615Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission of weighted versions of same signal
    • H04B7/0619Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission of weighted versions of same signal using feedback from receiving side
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04BTRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/06Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
    • H04B7/0613Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission
    • H04B7/0615Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission of weighted versions of same signal
    • H04B7/0617Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission of weighted versions of same signal for beam forming

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to communications systems and, more specifically, the present invention relates to wireless communications systems employing antenna arrays.
  • Antenna arrays may be used in communications systems that transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.
  • Antenna arrays typically include a number of antennas that are spatially separated and may be employed in a number of different wireless applications including radio communications systems, cellular systems, television broadcasting, point to point systems, paging systems, medical applications or the like.
  • antenna arrays in such systems often provide antenna performance improvements over the use of a single element antenna. These antenna performance improvements may include for received signals improved signal to noise ratio and interference rejection. Antenna performance improvements for transmitted signals may include improved directionality and hence less power towards other co-channel users, security and reduced transmit power requirements. Antenna arrays may be used for signal reception only, for signal transmission or for both signal reception and transmission.
  • a typical application of antenna array systems is in a wireless communication system.
  • Examples include a cellular communication system and a wireless local loop system.
  • Such wireless communications systems typically include one or more communications stations, generally called based stations, each communicating with its subscriber units, also called remote terminals and handsets.
  • the remote terminal is typically mobile, while in wireless local loop systems, the remote unit is typically in a fixed location.
  • the antenna array is typically at the base station, but may also be employed at a user terminal. Communication from the remote terminal to the base station is typically called the uplink and communication from the base station to the remote terminal is typically called the downlink.
  • TDD time division duplex
  • FDD frequency division duplex
  • a downlink beamforming apparatus and method are disclosed.
  • a method in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes receiving uplink communication signals from a plurality of antenna array elements, selecting an operating condition of an environment and estimating downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communication signals in response to the selected operation condition of the environment. Additional features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station operating in a low clutter environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station operating in a high clutter and low interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station operating in a high clutter and high interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment a method for downlink beamforming in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of estimating downlink beamforming weights in response to environmental conditions in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • a base station in a wireless communication system is provided with the ability to estimate an environment or condition in which the wireless communication system is operating.
  • the methods used to estimate downlink beamforming weights for downlink communication signals from the base station to the remote terminals are estimated depending upon operating conditions. For instance, in one embodiment, downlink beamforming weights are estimated differently depending on whether a low clutter, high clutter low interference or high clutter high interference environment is estimated.
  • the base station includes an antenna array having a plurality of antemia elements.
  • Uplink communication signals are received by the antenna elements in the antenna array and processing is performed on the uplink communication signals to estimate whether the base station is operating in a low clutter, high clutter low interference environment or a high clutter high interference environment. After the environment is estimated, downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communications are then estimated based on the estimated environmental conditions.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station 101 of a wireless communication system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • base station 101 includes an antenna array 103 having a plurality of antenna elements 105 and 107. It is appreciated that although antenna array 103 is illustrated having two antenna elements 105 and 107 in Figure 1 for explanation purposes, antemia array 103 may include more than two antenna elements in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • uplink communication signals 117 are received by the antenna elements 105 and 107 of antenna array 103. In one embodiment, the uplink communication signals 117 are received from one or more remote terminals of a wireless communication system.
  • a receiver 109 is coupled to receive uplink communication signals 117 from the antenna elements 105 and 107 of antenna array 103.
  • signal processor 111 is coupled to receiver 109 to receive the uplink communication signals 117.
  • storage 113 is coupled to receiver 109 to store the uplink communication signals 117 received by receiver 109 and signal processor 111 is coupled to storage 113 to receive the stored communication signals.
  • storage 113 is a machine-readable medium in which software instructions that may be executed by signal processor 111 are stored.
  • signal processor 111 processes the received uplink communication signals 117 and generates an environment estimate 115 in response to the received uplink communication signals 117.
  • environment estimate 115 may be an estimate of a low clutter environment, a high clutter low interference environment or high clutter high interference environment.
  • environment estimate 115 various devices, methods and/or techniques for estimating an environment such as environment estimate 115, which may be employed with embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in co-pending application serial no. 09/668,664, filed September 22, 2000, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Determining An Operating Condition In A Communications System,” and assigned to the Assignee of the present application.
  • signal processor 111 then estimates downlink beamforming weights 131 used for downlink communication signals.
  • the methods and/or techniques used to estimate beamforming weights 131 are based upon environment estimate 115. For instance, in one embodiment a first technique is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights 131 if a low clutter environment is estimated in environment estimate 115. A second technique is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights 131 if a high clutter low interference environment is estimated in environment estimate 115. A third technique is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights 131 if a high clutter high interference environment is estimated in environment estimate 115.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of abase station 201 operating in a low clutter environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • a low clutter environment corresponds to an environment in which there are relatively few scatterers or the like, which may cause multipath components.
  • Such an environment may be found in for example a suburban environment, which may be characterized by one or two storeyed buildings. In some cases, there may be a line of sight between the base station and the remote terminal.
  • base station 201 includes an antenna array 203 receiving uplink communication signals 217 from remote terminal 219.
  • base station 201 may be part of a cellular base station or the like and remote terminal may be a mobile unit that is part of a cellular phone or the like.
  • the present invention is not limited to any particular type of wireless application, such as for example cellular systems, but may be utilized in various types of wireless systems and applications employing antenna arrays.
  • the present invention is useful in spatial division multiple access systems (SDMA) or other types of systems in which adaptive arrays may be employed.
  • SDMA spatial division multiple access systems
  • one embodiment of the present invention maybe utilized in time division duplex (TDD) or especially frequency division duplex (FDD) communication systems and/or in conjunction with other wireless architectures.
  • TDD time division duplex
  • FDD frequency division duplex
  • each or a combination of the various elements of embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof.
  • base station 201 receives uplink communication signals 217 through antenna array 203.
  • Base station 201 processes the uplink signals 217 and generates an environment estimate 215, which in Figure 2 is an estimate of a low clutter environment.
  • base station 201 also estimates downlink beamforming weights 231 used for downlink communication signals in response to uplink signals 217 and environment estimate 215.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station 301 operating in a high clutter low interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • a high clutter environment corresponds to an enviromnent in which there is a relatively large amount of scatterers or the like, which may cause multipath components.
  • One example of such an environment may be an urban environment, which may be characterized by tall buildings and the propagation environment is relatively harsh. Line of sight propagation conditions are generally absent in high clutter environments.
  • Urban or high clutter enviromnent propagation channels usually include multiple propagation paths and do not include a dominant path, as in suburban environments. Accordingly, there is typically a significant angle of arrival spread of incoming uplink signals in high clutter environments.
  • a low interference environment corresponds to an environment in which there are relatively few sources or remote terminals utilizing the same frequency or channel at the same time.
  • base station 301 includes an antenna array 303 receiving uplink communication signals 317 from remote terminal 319.
  • the relatively large number of scatterers introduce many multipath components in the uplink communication signals 317.
  • the environment illustrated in Figure 3 is a high clutter environment.
  • the example illustrated in Figure 3 shows relatively few remote terminals, one of which is illustrated with remote terminal 319, and therefore the depicted environment is an example of a low interference environment.
  • base station 301 receives uplink communication signals 317 through antenna array 303.
  • Base station 301 processes the uplink signals 317 and generates an environment estimate 315, which in Figure 3 is an estimate of a high clutter low interference environment.
  • base station 301 also estimates downlink beamforming weights 331 used for downlink communication signals in response to uplink signals 317 and environment estimate 315.
  • FIG 4 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station 401 operating in a high clutter high interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • a high interference environment corresponds to an environment in which there is a relatively large number of sources or remote terminals utilizing the same frequency or channel at the same time.
  • One example of such an environment may be an environment in which there are many wireless phone users using the same channel such as for example in a busy downtown or airport environment.
  • base station 401 includes an antenna array 403 receiving uplink communication signals 417 from many remote terminals, including remote terminals 419 and 421.
  • the relatively large number of scatterers introduce many multipath components in the uplink communication signals 417.
  • the environment illustrated in Figure 4 is a high clutter environment.
  • the example illustrated in Figure 4 a relatively large number of remote terminals, two of which are illustrated with remote terminals 419 and 421, and therefore the depicted environment is an example of a high interference environment.
  • base station 401 receives uplink communication signals 417 through antenna array 403.
  • Base station 401 processes the uplink signals 417 and generates an environment estimate 415, which in Figure 4 is an estimate of a high clutter high interference environment.
  • base station 401 also estimates downlink beamforming weights 431 used for downlink communication signals in response to uplink signals 417 and environment estimate 415.
  • FIG. 5 One embodiment of a method for estimating downlink beamforming weights for downlink communication signals from a base station to a remote terminal is illustrated generally in a flow diagram 501 illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the method illustrated in the flow diagram 501 of Figure 5 may be practiced by a base station such as for example those illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 above.
  • uplink signals are received by for example the plurality of antenna elements 105 and 107 of antenna array 103 of Figure 1.
  • the uplink signals are provided to receiver 103 and are then provided to signal processor 111.
  • the uplink signals are stored in storage 113 and are then provided to signal processor 111.
  • uplink signals are received directly from receiver 109.
  • block 505 shows that the environment is then selected.
  • some examples of methods and/or techniques used to estimate the operating condition of the environment are described in co-pending application serial no. 09/668,664, filed September 22, 2000, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Determining An Operating Condition In A Communications System,” and assigned to the Assignee of the present application.
  • Block 507 shows that downlink beamforming weights are then generated in one embodiment responsive to the selected operating condition generated for example in block 505.
  • the downlink beamforming weights generated in block 507 may be employed by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure to generate downlink communication signals from a base station to a remote terminal.
  • Figure 6 is a flow diagram 601 illustrating one embodiment of a method of generating downlink beamforming weights used for downlink communication signals in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • a first approach is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights if there is a low clutter environment estimation.
  • channel information derived from uplink communication signals is used for downlink spatial processing.
  • block 605 shows that an angle of arrival (AOA) is estimated from uplink communication signals in if there is a low clutter environment estimation.
  • downlink beamforming weights are then calculated based on the estimated AOA as shown in block 607.
  • AOA angle of arrival
  • well-known techniques may be utilized to estimate the AOA.
  • Known AOA estimation techniques include for example the Delay and Sum method, Capon's method, Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) and Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Techniques (ESPRIT).
  • the Delay and Sum method is also referred to as a classical beamformer method or Fourier method.
  • the output power of the beamformer is calculated for each azimuthal angle.
  • the AOA corresponding to the largest output power is declared as the source AOA. This known technique produces broad beams.
  • the output power spectrum as a function of AOA is given by
  • the known MUSIC technique is a high resolution algorithm that exploits the Eigen structure of the input covariance matrix.
  • MUSIC is a signal parameter estimation algorithm that estimates the number of incident signals, their AOAs, their strengths and the cross correlations between the incident signals.
  • the Eigen vectors of the covariance matrix belong to either of the two orthogonal subspaces: signal subspace or noise subspace.
  • the steering vector corresponding to the AOA of the signals lie in the signal subspace and hence orthogonal to the noise subspace.
  • the known ESPRIT technique is another subspace technique that reduces the computation and storage requirements for MUSIC.
  • ESPRIT does not require an exhaustive search or precise calibration.
  • ESPRIT derives its advantages by utilizing array elements that have a structure that can be decomposed into two equal sized identical subarrays with corresponding elements of the two subarrays being displaced from one another by a fixed translational, not rotational, distance.
  • the downlink spatial signature is obtained by substituting the uplink wavelength ( ⁇ u ) with the downlink wavelength ( ⁇ d ) to be used in downlink communication signals.
  • the uplink communication signals there may be multiple AOA components associated with a remote terminal.
  • the AOA associated with each remote terminal is separated from the other and the downlink weight is estimated as follows. First, the number of sources is estimated using a known order estimation algorithm, such as for example Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Minimum Descriptive Length (MDL) or the like. Next, the uplink spatial signatures of the various remote terminals are separated using known techniques such as for example the Iterative Least Squares Projection (ILSP) method or the like.
  • AIC Akaike Information Criteria
  • MDL Minimum Descriptive Length
  • ILSP Iterative Least Squares Projection
  • the AOA estimation algorithms are applied on the estimated uplink spatial signature and AOAs associated with each remote terminal are estimated.
  • block 609 illustrates that a second approach is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights if there is a high clutter low interference environment estimation.
  • block 611 shows that uplink spatial signatures are then estimated.
  • downlink beamforming weights are then calculated based on the uplink spatial signature.
  • block 615 illustrates that a third approach is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights if there is a high clutter high interference environment estimation.
  • block 617 shows that uplink optimal weights are then estimated.
  • the AOA of the desired remote terminals and interferers are then estimated from the uplink beam pattern.
  • downlink beamforming weights are then estimated by broadening the nulls directed towards the interferers using known null broadening techniques. Accordingly, increased power is directed to the desired remote terminal and reduced power is directed to interferers.
  • an uplink beampattem may then be formed using techniques known to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
  • nulls located in the uplink beampattem correspond to interferers.
  • the nulls located in the uplink beampattem are then broadened using known techniques and then downlink beamforming weights are then determined for the high clutter high interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • nulls in the beampattem correspond to AOAs of interferers.
  • null broadening the nulls in the beampattem at the AOAs of the interferers reduced power is directed to interferers in downlink communication signals generated from the downlink beamforming weights in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • null broadening techniques to reduce power directed toward interferers may be used in environmental conditions other than high clutter high interference in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Radio Transmission System (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A downlink beamforming apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes receiving uplink communication signals from a plurality of antenna array elements, selecting an operating condition of an environment and estimating downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communication signals in response to the selected operation condition of the environment.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING DOWNLINK BEAMFORMING WEIGHTS IN A COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is related to co-pending application serial no. 09/668,664, filed September 22, 2000, entitled "Method and Apparatus For Determining An Operating Condition In A Communications System," and assigned to the Assignee of the present application. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communications systems and, more specifically, the present invention relates to wireless communications systems employing antenna arrays.
Background Information
Antenna arrays may be used in communications systems that transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals. Antenna arrays typically include a number of antennas that are spatially separated and may be employed in a number of different wireless applications including radio communications systems, cellular systems, television broadcasting, point to point systems, paging systems, medical applications or the like.
The use of antenna arrays in such systems often provide antenna performance improvements over the use of a single element antenna. These antenna performance improvements may include for received signals improved signal to noise ratio and interference rejection. Antenna performance improvements for transmitted signals may include improved directionality and hence less power towards other co-channel users, security and reduced transmit power requirements. Antenna arrays may be used for signal reception only, for signal transmission or for both signal reception and transmission.
A typical application of antenna array systems is in a wireless communication system. Examples include a cellular communication system and a wireless local loop system. Such wireless communications systems typically include one or more communications stations, generally called based stations, each communicating with its subscriber units, also called remote terminals and handsets. In cellular systems, the remote terminal is typically mobile, while in wireless local loop systems, the remote unit is typically in a fixed location.
The antenna array is typically at the base station, but may also be employed at a user terminal. Communication from the remote terminal to the base station is typically called the uplink and communication from the base station to the remote terminal is typically called the downlink. In time division duplex (TDD) systems, uplink and downlink communications with a particular remote terminal occur at the same frequency, but at different time slots. In frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, uplink and downlink communications with a particular remote terminal occur at different frequencies and may or may not occur at the same time.
Since different frequencies are used in the uplink and downlink communication channels in FDD, the behavior of the signals in the uplink and downlink communication channels between the base station and remote terminal are different. The differences are more apparent as the channels have more multipath components. In a multipath environment, scattering and/or reflections caused by, for example, buildings or the like result in amplitude and phase changes and/or multipath components in the communication signals. Multipath components behave differently for different frequencies and a communication signal arriving at an antenna array changes with the frequency. This makes downlink beamforming more challenging for FDD systems than TDD systems since the uplink and downlink frequencies are the same in TDD systems. Accordingly, the performance of a wireless communications system is impacted by the presence of scatterers in the environment.
Another factor that impacts wireless communication system performance is the presence of multiple remote terminals utilizing the same frequency or channel at the same time in the environment. As the number of separate sources or remote terminals utilizing the same frequency increases, the amount of interference in the communications channel also increases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A downlink beamforming apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes receiving uplink communication signals from a plurality of antenna array elements, selecting an operating condition of an environment and estimating downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communication signals in response to the selected operation condition of the environment. Additional features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures.
Figure 1 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station operating in a low clutter environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station operating in a high clutter and low interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station operating in a high clutter and high interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment a method for downlink beamforming in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of estimating downlink beamforming weights in response to environmental conditions in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In one aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for estimating downlink beamforming weights based on an operating condition or environment of a communications system are disclosed. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
In one aspect of the present invention, a base station in a wireless communication system is provided with the ability to estimate an environment or condition in which the wireless communication system is operating. The methods used to estimate downlink beamforming weights for downlink communication signals from the base station to the remote terminals are estimated depending upon operating conditions. For instance, in one embodiment, downlink beamforming weights are estimated differently depending on whether a low clutter, high clutter low interference or high clutter high interference environment is estimated.
In one embodiment, the base station includes an antenna array having a plurality of antemia elements. Uplink communication signals are received by the antenna elements in the antenna array and processing is performed on the uplink communication signals to estimate whether the base station is operating in a low clutter, high clutter low interference environment or a high clutter high interference environment. After the environment is estimated, downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communications are then estimated based on the estimated environmental conditions.
To illustrate, Figure 1 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station 101 of a wireless communication system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown, base station 101 includes an antenna array 103 having a plurality of antenna elements 105 and 107. It is appreciated that although antenna array 103 is illustrated having two antenna elements 105 and 107 in Figure 1 for explanation purposes, antemia array 103 may include more than two antenna elements in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As illustrated, uplink communication signals 117 are received by the antenna elements 105 and 107 of antenna array 103. In one embodiment, the uplink communication signals 117 are received from one or more remote terminals of a wireless communication system.
In the depicted embodiment, a receiver 109 is coupled to receive uplink communication signals 117 from the antenna elements 105 and 107 of antenna array 103. In one embodiment, signal processor 111 is coupled to receiver 109 to receive the uplink communication signals 117. In one embodiment, storage 113 is coupled to receiver 109 to store the uplink communication signals 117 received by receiver 109 and signal processor 111 is coupled to storage 113 to receive the stored communication signals. In one embodiment, storage 113 is a machine-readable medium in which software instructions that may be executed by signal processor 111 are stored.
As shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, signal processor 111 processes the received uplink communication signals 117 and generates an environment estimate 115 in response to the received uplink communication signals 117. In one embodiment, environment estimate 115 may be an estimate of a low clutter environment, a high clutter low interference environment or high clutter high interference environment.
It is noted that various devices, methods and/or techniques for estimating an environment such as environment estimate 115, which may be employed with embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in co-pending application serial no. 09/668,664, filed September 22, 2000, entitled "Method and Apparatus For Determining An Operating Condition In A Communications System," and assigned to the Assignee of the present application.
In one embodiment, signal processor 111 then estimates downlink beamforming weights 131 used for downlink communication signals. In one embodiment, the methods and/or techniques used to estimate beamforming weights 131 are based upon environment estimate 115. For instance, in one embodiment a first technique is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights 131 if a low clutter environment is estimated in environment estimate 115. A second technique is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights 131 if a high clutter low interference environment is estimated in environment estimate 115. A third technique is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights 131 if a high clutter high interference environment is estimated in environment estimate 115.
To illustrate, Figure 2 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of abase station 201 operating in a low clutter environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of this specification, a low clutter environment corresponds to an environment in which there are relatively few scatterers or the like, which may cause multipath components. Such an environment may be found in for example a suburban environment, which may be characterized by one or two storeyed buildings. In some cases, there may be a line of sight between the base station and the remote terminal.
As illustrated in Figure 2, base station 201 includes an antenna array 203 receiving uplink communication signals 217 from remote terminal 219. In one embodiment, base station 201 may be part of a cellular base station or the like and remote terminal may be a mobile unit that is part of a cellular phone or the like. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of wireless application, such as for example cellular systems, but may be utilized in various types of wireless systems and applications employing antenna arrays. In one embodiment, the present invention is useful in spatial division multiple access systems (SDMA) or other types of systems in which adaptive arrays may be employed. For example, one embodiment of the present invention maybe utilized in time division duplex (TDD) or especially frequency division duplex (FDD) communication systems and/or in conjunction with other wireless architectures. Furthermore, each or a combination of the various elements of embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof.
Referring back to Figure 2, although there are scatterers 223 are present in the environment, there are relatively few, and therefore the environment depicted in Figure 2 is an illustration of a low clutter environment. From a propagation point of view, the communication channel between base station 201 and remote terminal 219 is benign. In one embodiment, base station 201 receives uplink communication signals 217 through antenna array 203. Base station 201 processes the uplink signals 217 and generates an environment estimate 215, which in Figure 2 is an estimate of a low clutter environment. In one embodiment, base station 201 also estimates downlink beamforming weights 231 used for downlink communication signals in response to uplink signals 217 and environment estimate 215.
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station 301 operating in a high clutter low interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of this specification, a high clutter environment corresponds to an enviromnent in which there is a relatively large amount of scatterers or the like, which may cause multipath components. One example of such an environment may be an urban environment, which may be characterized by tall buildings and the propagation environment is relatively harsh. Line of sight propagation conditions are generally absent in high clutter environments. Urban or high clutter enviromnent propagation channels usually include multiple propagation paths and do not include a dominant path, as in suburban environments. Accordingly, there is typically a significant angle of arrival spread of incoming uplink signals in high clutter environments. For purposes of this specification, a low interference environment corresponds to an environment in which there are relatively few sources or remote terminals utilizing the same frequency or channel at the same time. As illustrated in Figure 3, base station 301 includes an antenna array 303 receiving uplink communication signals 317 from remote terminal 319. As shown in Figure 3, there are a relatively large number of scatterers present, including scatterers 323, 325, 327 and 329. The relatively large number of scatterers introduce many multipath components in the uplink communication signals 317. Accordingly, the environment illustrated in Figure 3 is a high clutter environment. In addition, the example illustrated in Figure 3 shows relatively few remote terminals, one of which is illustrated with remote terminal 319, and therefore the depicted environment is an example of a low interference environment.
In one embodiment, base station 301 receives uplink communication signals 317 through antenna array 303. Base station 301 processes the uplink signals 317 and generates an environment estimate 315, which in Figure 3 is an estimate of a high clutter low interference environment. In one embodiment, base station 301 also estimates downlink beamforming weights 331 used for downlink communication signals in response to uplink signals 317 and environment estimate 315.
Figure 4 is a block diagram illustration of one embodiment of a base station 401 operating in a high clutter high interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of this specification, a high interference environment corresponds to an environment in which there is a relatively large number of sources or remote terminals utilizing the same frequency or channel at the same time. One example of such an environment may be an environment in which there are many wireless phone users using the same channel such as for example in a busy downtown or airport environment.
As illustrated in Figure 4, base station 401 includes an antenna array 403 receiving uplink communication signals 417 from many remote terminals, including remote terminals 419 and 421. As shown in Figure 4, there are a relatively large number of scatterers present, including scatterers 423, 425, 427 and 429. The relatively large number of scatterers introduce many multipath components in the uplink communication signals 417. Accordingly, the environment illustrated in Figure 4 is a high clutter environment. In addition, the example illustrated in Figure 4 a relatively large number of remote terminals, two of which are illustrated with remote terminals 419 and 421, and therefore the depicted environment is an example of a high interference environment.
In one embodiment, base station 401 receives uplink communication signals 417 through antenna array 403. Base station 401 processes the uplink signals 417 and generates an environment estimate 415, which in Figure 4 is an estimate of a high clutter high interference environment. In one embodiment, base station 401 also estimates downlink beamforming weights 431 used for downlink communication signals in response to uplink signals 417 and environment estimate 415.
One embodiment of a method for estimating downlink beamforming weights for downlink communication signals from a base station to a remote terminal is illustrated generally in a flow diagram 501 illustrated in Figure 5. The method illustrated in the flow diagram 501 of Figure 5 may be practiced by a base station such as for example those illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 above. As shown in block 503, uplink signals are received by for example the plurality of antenna elements 105 and 107 of antenna array 103 of Figure 1. In one embodiment, the uplink signals are provided to receiver 103 and are then provided to signal processor 111. In one embodiment, the uplink signals are stored in storage 113 and are then provided to signal processor 111. In another embodiment, uplink signals are received directly from receiver 109.
In one embodiment, block 505 shows that the environment is then selected. As mentioned previously, some examples of methods and/or techniques used to estimate the operating condition of the environment are described in co-pending application serial no. 09/668,664, filed September 22, 2000, entitled "Method and Apparatus For Determining An Operating Condition In A Communications System," and assigned to the Assignee of the present application.
Block 507 shows that downlink beamforming weights are then generated in one embodiment responsive to the selected operating condition generated for example in block 505. In one embodiment, the downlink beamforming weights generated in block 507 may be employed by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure to generate downlink communication signals from a base station to a remote terminal.
To illustrate, Figure 6 is a flow diagram 601 illustrating one embodiment of a method of generating downlink beamforming weights used for downlink communication signals in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown with block 603, a first approach is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights if there is a low clutter environment estimation. In one embodiment, if a low clutter environment is estimated according to block 603, channel information derived from uplink communication signals is used for downlink spatial processing. In example, in one embodiment, block 605 shows that an angle of arrival (AOA) is estimated from uplink communication signals in if there is a low clutter environment estimation. In one embodiment, downlink beamforming weights are then calculated based on the estimated AOA as shown in block 607.
In one embodiment, well-known techniques may be utilized to estimate the AOA. Known AOA estimation techniques that may be utilized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention include for example the Delay and Sum method, Capon's method, Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) and Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Techniques (ESPRIT).
The Delay and Sum method is also referred to as a classical beamformer method or Fourier method. The beamformer uses a weight, w, which is the spatial signatures for any given angle, θ. Thus, w = a(θ). The output power of the beamformer is calculated for each azimuthal angle. The AOA corresponding to the largest output power is declared as the source AOA. This known technique produces broad beams.
Capon's known method forms a beam in the look angle, θ, but it also tries to null uncorrelated interference. This is achieved by minimizing the output power subject to the constraint that a beam is formed in the direction of the look angle such that subject to wHa(θ) = 1 (Eq. 2) where y is the output, w is the weight vector, H represents a Hermitian transpose and R^ is the input correlation matrix. The output power spectrum as a function of AOA is given by
PcaP ,I(θ) = 1 (aHR-a(θ))' (E - 3)
The known MUSIC technique is a high resolution algorithm that exploits the Eigen structure of the input covariance matrix. MUSIC is a signal parameter estimation algorithm that estimates the number of incident signals, their AOAs, their strengths and the cross correlations between the incident signals. The Eigen vectors of the covariance matrix belong to either of the two orthogonal subspaces: signal subspace or noise subspace. The steering vector corresponding to the AOA of the signals lie in the signal subspace and hence orthogonal to the noise subspace. By searching through all possible array steering vectors that are perpendicular to the space spanned by the Eigen vectors of the noise subspace, the AOAs are estimated.
The known ESPRIT technique is another subspace technique that reduces the computation and storage requirements for MUSIC. ESPRIT does not require an exhaustive search or precise calibration. ESPRIT derives its advantages by utilizing array elements that have a structure that can be decomposed into two equal sized identical subarrays with corresponding elements of the two subarrays being displaced from one another by a fixed translational, not rotational, distance.
All of the above-described AOA techniques assume that the antenna arrays are calibrated, i.e., all variations due to the antenna, receiver and transmitter chains are removed. For a uniform linear array, the spatial signature for the uplink for a particular incident angle (θ) can be written as a (θ) = ri ei2πdcos(θ)u ... gj∑πfM-OdcosCθyλu-lT m Λ where d is the inter-element spacing, λu is the uplink wavelength, M is the number of elements in then antenna array. In one embodiment, the downlink spatial signature is obtained by substituting the uplink wavelength (λu) with the downlink wavelength (λd) to be used in downlink communication signals. In the uplink communication signals, there may be multiple AOA components associated with a remote terminal. In one embodiment, the AOA associated with each remote terminal is separated from the other and the downlink weight is estimated as follows. First, the number of sources is estimated using a known order estimation algorithm, such as for example Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Minimum Descriptive Length (MDL) or the like. Next, the uplink spatial signatures of the various remote terminals are separated using known techniques such as for example the Iterative Least Squares Projection (ILSP) method or the like. Then, the AOA estimation algorithms are applied on the estimated uplink spatial signature and AOAs associated with each remote terminal are estimated. The dominant AOA associated with each remote terminal is then chosen and the downlink beamforming weights are formed using the following equation: wi = (AH A)-'ai (Eq. 5) where w is the downlink beamforming weight vector, the A matrix includes the downlink spatial signatures of all the remote terminals, H represents a Hermitian transpose and a; is the downlink spatial signature of the tth remote terminal. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, only the AOA component with the largest power is used to compute the downlink beamforming weight. Thus, w; represents the downlink beamforming weights estimated for a downlink communication signals in a low clutter environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Referring back to flow diagram 601 of Figure 6, block 609 illustrates that a second approach is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights if there is a high clutter low interference environment estimation. In one embodiment, if a high clutter low interference environment is estimated according to block 609, block 611 shows that uplink spatial signatures are then estimated. According to block 613, downlink beamforming weights are then calculated based on the uplink spatial signature.
In one embodiment, the uplink spatial signatures in the case of a high clutter low interference environment are not estimated from the uplink communication signals AOA, but rather by correlating the input array signal with a reference signal. Accordingly, the estimated uplink spatial signature is estimated as follows: au = rzs = [ZHs]Mxl- (Eq. 6) where au is the estimated uplink spatial signature and rzs is the correlation between the input array signal Z and the reference signal s. H represents a Hermitian transpose and M is the number of elements in then antenna array. In one embodiment, the downlink beamforming weights in the case of a high clutter low interference environment are then estimated according as follows: wd = a„* (Eq. 7) where wd represents the downlink beamforming weights estimated for a downlink communication signals in a high clutter low interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Referring back to flow diagram 601 of Figure 6, block 615 illustrates that a third approach is used to estimate downlink beamforming weights if there is a high clutter high interference environment estimation. In one embodiment, if a high clutter high interference environment is estimated according to block 615, block 617 shows that uplink optimal weights are then estimated. In one embodiment, the AOA of the desired remote terminals and interferers are then estimated from the uplink beam pattern. As shown in block 619, in one embodiment, downlink beamforming weights are then estimated by broadening the nulls directed towards the interferers using known null broadening techniques. Accordingly, increased power is directed to the desired remote terminal and reduced power is directed to interferers.
For instance, in one embodiment, uplink optimal weights are calculated according to the following: w[Mxi] = Rzz "1 rzs (Eq. 8) where w is an Mxl matrix representing the uplink optimal weights, M is the number of elements in then antenna array. Rzz is a correlation matrix calculated according to the following: and vzs is a correlation vector calculated according to the following: r2s = [Z s]Mxl (Eq. 10) where Z represents a matrix representing the received uplink communications signal, s represents a reference signal and M is the number of elements in then antenna array.
In one embodiment, after the uplink optimal weights w[Mxl] are estimated, an uplink beampattem may then be formed using techniques known to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. As is known to those skilled in the art, nulls located in the uplink beampattem correspond to interferers. In one embodiment, the nulls located in the uplink beampattem are then broadened using known techniques and then downlink beamforming weights are then determined for the high clutter high interference environment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As is known to those skilled in ihe art, nulls in the beampattem correspond to AOAs of interferers. Therefore, by broadening the nulls in the beampattem at the AOAs of the interferers, reduced power is directed to interferers in downlink communication signals generated from the downlink beamforming weights in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In another embodiment, is appreciated that the null broadening techniques to reduce power directed toward interferers may be used in environmental conditions other than high clutter high interference in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
In the foregoing detailed description, including what is described in the Abstract, the method and apparatus of the present invention have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. The present specification and figures are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The description and abstract are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with the established doctrines of claim interpretation.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A method, comprising: receiving uplink communication signals from a plurality of antenna array elements; selecting an operating condition of an environment; and estimating downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communication signals in response to the selected operation condition of the environment.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the operating condition of the environment is selected in response to the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements
3. The method of claim 2 wherein estimating the downlink beamforming weights comprises using channel information derived from the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a low clutter environment is the selected operating condition.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein estimating the downlink beamforming weights comprises using angles of arrival (AOAs) estimated from the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein the downlink beamforming weights are estimated in response to an uplink spatial signature of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter low interference environment is the selected operating condition.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein estimating the uplink spatial signature comprises estimating a correlation between the received uplink communication signals and the reference signal.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the downlink beamforming weights are estimated in response to uplink optimal weights of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter high interference environment is the selected operating condition.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein estimating the downlink beamforming weights comprises: estimating the uplink optimal weights from uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements; estimating angles of arrival (AOAs) corresponding to desired remote terminals and interferers; and broadening nulls directed towards the interferers.
9. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of antenna elements; a receiver coupled to receive uplink communication signals from the plurality of antenna elements; and a signal processor coupled to estimate downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communication signals in response to a selected operating condition of the environment.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the signal processor is coupled to receive the uplink communication signals, the signal process to select the operating condition of the environment in response to the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna elements.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a memory coupled to the plurality of antenna elements to store the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna elements.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the signal processor is coupled to estimate the downlink beamforming weights using channel information derived from the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a low clutter environment is the selected operating condition.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the signal processor is coupled to estimate the downlink beamforming weights in response to an uplink spatial signature of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter low interference environment is the selected operating condition.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the signal processor is coupled to estimate the downlink beamforming weights in response to uplink optimal weights of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter high interference environment is the selected operating condition.
15. A machine-readable medium comprising machine readable instructions stored thereon to: receive uplink communication signals from a plurality of antenna array elements ; select an operating condition of an environment; and estimate downlink beamforming weights used in downlink communication signals in response to the selected operation condition of the environment.
16. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising machine-readable instructions thereon to: store the uplink communication signals from the plurality of antenna array elements.
17. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising machine-readable instructions thereon to: estimate the downlink beamforming weights using channel information derived from the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a low clutter environment is the selected operating condition.
18. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising machine-readable instructions thereon to: estimate the downlink beamforming weights in response to an uplink spatial signature of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter low interference environment is the selected operating condition.
19. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising machine-readable instructions thereon to: estimate the downlink beamforming weights in response to uplink optimal weights of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter high interference environment is the selected operating condition.
20. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving uplink communication signals from a plurality of antenna elements; means for storing the received uplink communication signals; means for selecting an operating condition of an environment; and signal processing means for estimating downlink beamforming weights in response to the selected operation condition of the environment.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the means for selecting an operating condition of the environment is responsive to the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna elements.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising means for storing the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna elements.
23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the signal processing means is further coupled to estimate the downlink beamforming weights using channel information derived from the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a low clutter environment is the selected operating condition.
24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the signal processing means is further coupled to estimate the downlink beamforming weights in response to an uplink spatial signature of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antemia array elements if a high clutter low interference environment is the selected operating condition.
25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the signal processing means is further coupled to estimate the downlink beamforming weights in response to uplink optimal weights of the uplink communication signals received from the plurality of antenna array elements if a high clutter high interference environment is the selected operating condition.
EP01977482A 2000-12-20 2001-10-03 Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system Expired - Lifetime EP1344332B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/745,343 US6839574B2 (en) 2000-12-20 2000-12-20 Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system
US745343 2000-12-20
PCT/US2001/031123 WO2002051033A1 (en) 2000-12-20 2001-10-03 Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1344332A1 true EP1344332A1 (en) 2003-09-17
EP1344332B1 EP1344332B1 (en) 2010-03-31

Family

ID=24996302

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01977482A Expired - Lifetime EP1344332B1 (en) 2000-12-20 2001-10-03 Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US6839574B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1344332B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2004516742A (en)
KR (1) KR100821242B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1242566C (en)
AU (2) AU9659801A (en)
DE (1) DE60141708D1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002051033A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8363744B2 (en) 2001-06-10 2013-01-29 Aloft Media, Llc Method and system for robust, secure, and high-efficiency voice and packet transmission over ad-hoc, mesh, and MIMO communication networks
US6895258B1 (en) * 2000-08-14 2005-05-17 Kathrein-Werke Kg Space division multiple access strategy for data service
DE10051144C2 (en) * 2000-10-16 2002-11-14 Siemens Ag Method for improving channel estimation in a radio communication system
US7139593B2 (en) * 2001-12-14 2006-11-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. System and method for improving performance of an adaptive antenna array in a vehicular environment
US6970722B1 (en) * 2002-08-22 2005-11-29 Cisco Technology, Inc. Array beamforming with wide nulls
JP2004096346A (en) * 2002-08-30 2004-03-25 Fujitsu Ltd Radio communication equipment
JP3717913B2 (en) * 2002-12-27 2005-11-16 三洋電機株式会社 Wireless device
US7035652B1 (en) * 2003-02-11 2006-04-25 Calamp Corp. Wireless communication structures and methods with enhanced range and performance
US6931262B2 (en) * 2003-03-13 2005-08-16 Arraycomm, Inc. Soft decision-based decorrelator for estimating spatial signatures in a wireless communications system
US7263335B2 (en) 2004-07-19 2007-08-28 Purewave Networks, Inc. Multi-connection, non-simultaneous frequency diversity in radio communication systems
US7706324B2 (en) * 2004-07-19 2010-04-27 Qualcomm Incorporated On-demand reverse-link pilot transmission
US7342535B2 (en) * 2005-04-08 2008-03-11 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Beam-forming apparatus and method using a spatial interpolation based on regular spatial sampling
US8144666B2 (en) * 2005-05-13 2012-03-27 Rockstar Bidco Lp Downlink beamforming for broadband wireless networks
CN100544231C (en) * 2005-06-08 2009-09-23 中兴通讯股份有限公司 Smart antenna implementation method and smart antenna based on software radio are realized system
WO2007001996A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2007-01-04 Atc Technologies, Llc Communications systems including adaptive antenna systems and methods for inter-system and intra-system interference reduction
US8542589B2 (en) * 2006-06-05 2013-09-24 Qualcomm Incorporated Method and apparatus for providing beamforming feedback in wireless communication systems
US7450673B2 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-11-11 Cisco Technology, Inc. System and method for improving the robustness of spatial division multiple access via nulling
US7778211B2 (en) * 2006-09-26 2010-08-17 Cisco Technology, Inc. Method for computing a downlink beamforming weighting vector based on up link channel information
EP1928056A1 (en) * 2006-11-28 2008-06-04 Saab AB Method for designing array antennas
KR101415200B1 (en) * 2007-05-15 2014-07-07 한국과학기술원 Method and apparatus for predicting radio channel in wireless communication system
US7978135B2 (en) 2008-02-15 2011-07-12 Atc Technologies, Llc Antenna beam forming systems/methods using unconstrained phase response
US8193975B2 (en) * 2008-11-12 2012-06-05 Atc Technologies Iterative antenna beam forming systems/methods
CN101888644B (en) * 2009-05-14 2014-12-10 中兴通讯股份有限公司 System and method for realizing beam forming of single user
KR101802533B1 (en) * 2009-06-19 2017-11-28 코다 와이어리스 피티와이 리미티드 Method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for environment estimation in a wireless communication system
CN102404035B (en) * 2011-12-12 2014-06-11 东南大学 Method for forming interference suppression beam based on channel matrix in short distance communication
CN103618567B (en) * 2013-12-18 2016-05-04 中国电子科技集团公司第五十四研究所 A kind of adaptive beam formation method for communication in moving scatter communication
EP3427406B1 (en) * 2016-03-23 2020-02-05 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for position information based downlink receive filter
US11160102B2 (en) * 2016-03-25 2021-10-26 Apple Inc. Full duplex support in fifth generation (5G) systems
CN108923869B (en) * 2018-08-01 2020-12-18 电子科技大学 Capon noise power estimation method based on orthogonal operator

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2309591B (en) * 1996-01-27 1999-08-04 Motorola Ltd Apparatus and method for adaptive beamforming
US6122260A (en) 1996-12-16 2000-09-19 Civil Telecommunications, Inc. Smart antenna CDMA wireless communication system
US6331837B1 (en) * 1997-05-23 2001-12-18 Genghiscomm Llc Spatial interferometry multiplexing in wireless communications
US6377812B1 (en) * 1997-11-20 2002-04-23 University Of Maryland Combined power control and space-time diversity in mobile cellular communications
GB9828216D0 (en) * 1998-12-21 1999-02-17 Northern Telecom Ltd A downlink beamforming approach for frequency division duplex cellular systems
GB2349045A (en) 1999-04-16 2000-10-18 Fujitsu Ltd Base station transmission beam pattern forming; interference reduction
US6975666B2 (en) * 1999-12-23 2005-12-13 Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique Interference suppression in CDMA systems
US6411257B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2002-06-25 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) Antenna angle-of-arrival estimation using uplink weight vectors
US6404803B1 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-06-11 Neoreach, Inc. PN code acquisition with adaptive antenna array and adaptive threshold for CDMA wireless communications

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0251033A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002051033A1 (en) 2002-06-27
AU9659801A (en) 2002-07-01
US20020090978A1 (en) 2002-07-11
KR20040015042A (en) 2004-02-18
KR100821242B1 (en) 2008-04-10
US6839574B2 (en) 2005-01-04
JP2004516742A (en) 2004-06-03
EP1344332B1 (en) 2010-03-31
DE60141708D1 (en) 2010-05-12
AU2001296598B2 (en) 2007-08-30
CN1242566C (en) 2006-02-15
CN1481624A (en) 2004-03-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6839574B2 (en) Method and apparatus for estimating downlink beamforming weights in a communications system
US6771988B2 (en) Radio communication apparatus using adaptive antenna
US20090075616A1 (en) Method and apparatus for determining an operating condition in a communications system
Jeng et al. Experimental evaluation of smart antenna system performance for wireless communications
JP4755629B2 (en) Transmission / reception device and communication method thereof
EP1680870B1 (en) Wireless signal processing methods and apparatuses including directions of arrival estimation
US20030108028A1 (en) Method and device for evaluation of a radio signal
US20030130012A1 (en) Method and device for evaluating an uplink radio signal
JP4001880B2 (en) Spatial multiplex transmission equipment
AU2007211955B2 (en) Method and apparatus for determining an operating condition in a communications system using antenna arrays
JP2008211341A (en) Transmission and reception device, and communication method thereof
AU2001291164A1 (en) Method and Apparatus for Determining an Operating Condition in a Communications System using Antenna Arrays
US20080102768A1 (en) Method for Obtaining a Covariance Matrix of a Transmitting Channel in a Wireless Network
Rani et al. MUSIC and LMS algorithms for a smart antenna system
Jeng et al. Experimental studies of direction of arrivals using a smart antenna testbed in wireless communication systems
Lee Direction-of-transmission estimation in multiple-input single-output wireless communication systems
Barroso et al. Beamforming with correlated arrivals in mobile communications
SHEIKH SPATIAL DETECTION GUIDED FREQUENCY DOMAIN NORMALIZED LEAST MEAN SQUARE ALGORITHM FOR SMART ANTENNA SYSTEMS
Abreu et al. Adaptively sampled near-field smart array antenna for indoor wireless communications
Tong et al. A Null-Steering Adaptive Antenna Array for CDMA Mobile Stations
Kant et al. Analysis and Performance of Smart Antenna System for Wireless Communication
Khumane et al. DOA Estimation using Non-eigen Decomposition and Beamforming in Dynamic Condition

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030611

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: CHEMALI, ANTOINE

Inventor name: YUN, LOUIS, C.

Inventor name: DEPIERRE, DAVID

Inventor name: PETRUS, PAUL

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: ARRAYCOMM LLC

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20090415

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: INTEL CORPORATION

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60141708

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20100512

Kind code of ref document: P

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20101020

Year of fee payment: 10

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20110104

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20120629

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111102

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20170927

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170927

Year of fee payment: 17

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60141708

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20181003

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190501

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181003